Door charge dispute cited in Vegas Strip shooting

Door charge dispute cited in Vegas Strip shooting

October 22nd, 2013 in News

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A $30 cover charge led to a nightclub shooting early Monday on the Las Vegas Strip that left one patron dead when he tried to subdue the gunman and two employees in critical condition, officials said.

A man opened fire about 5:45 a.m. wounding a manager and a guard at Drai's After Hours, a club at Bally's hotel-casino, police Sgt. John Sheahan said. Another guard might have been injured.

Sheahan said the nightclub was open at the time and the shooter was believed to have acted alone.

He was hospitalized with unspecified injuries.

Sheahan said the male patron was fatally wounded trying to subdue the gunman as people ran from the club.

"The person is in custody. The weapon is in custody," Sheahan said. "There are no outstanding suspects in this incident."

Three people were taken by ambulance to University Medical Center, where spokeswoman Danita Cohen said one died and two remained in critical condition.

Sheahan said the gunman is expected to face murder and multiple attempted murder charges.

Authorities said he paid the cover charge then demanded his money back before opening fire.

Sheahan said the gunman told employees the crowd Monday morning was so small that he wanted his money back.

A manager was shot in the arm during the argument and a security officer who wrestled with the gunman was also shot before the patron joined the melee, Sheahan said.

Gambling continued in most of the casino after the shooting. Yellow crime scene tape stretched around several banks of slot machines just outside the club. Debris littered the carpeted floor.